Brunhilde nods in agreement and leaves to find an official member of the guard to inform him of the death.
Udo also nods solemnly;
"It is for the best. Those welcomed into in Morr's Garden should stay planted and not rise anew."
As Brunhilde speeds up to catch on with Konrad, and while Felver, with the approbation of Udo, takes measure to ensure the dead won't rise again, Gottfried gets back to the barn, and meet both the apprentice mason and the pitfighter.
The last is currently chopping a man's head.. which ight rise questions.
Konrad soon bumps into guards, who try to calm people down while doing their best to not panic themselves. Hearsay goes quick, as they ask Konrad if it truly was the Dullahan in the barn and if they killed him for true this time.
"Everyone, calm down! Calm down. No, it wasn't Dullahan in the barn." He relayed the information of what happened, as they had all rehearsed. His voice was even and calm. "As for Dullahan, let's not worry about that. The Old Dark is ever an enemy, but does not Sigmar teach us to stand against it? The faithful will always stand firm." He said, repeating a line that he had heard from preachers all too often.
All Gottfried can murmur to his allies is That group of town leaders sure is chummy. Couldn't glean what about though.
Udo mulls his own experiences, and the latest turn of events.
"The Dullahan is gone... but what if its spirit is not? The restless do not linger in Lord Morr's garden. While Konrad defeated its body, perhaps its shade lurks here in Hallt still."
The would be Morrite looks grave, then continues;
"The Dullahan was taking heads of acquaintances was it not? Gottfried observed the leaders meeting - perhaps they know more or fear for their own souls?"
"For my part it has been augured to ware the caws of Morr's ravens... Heed them I shall... as should we all."
The crowd WANTS to believe Konrad, or at least it is his impression. They seem a little bit calmer, and the townpeople go away in small groups.
The guards listen to Konrad and the woman, as they explain the cold, hard facts around the death of her husband. Fortunatly, the man is known for being a drunkard and a bully, and the guards have already too much to do to keep whatever small peace they can. So, in the situation, the widow will get probably more or less scott-free, and you won't be accused of murder or anything like that.
Now, what will you do?
The young man moves through the crowd, encouraging the crowd to move about their business, nothing to see here now etc.
Udo solemnly watches the crowd disperse, then also assists in loading the man's corpse upon a cart.
"Where is Hallt's graveyard? I do not think they have a Garden of Morr, but surely somewhere suffices to bury their dead..."
"Seems like it is in the purview of our job. So let's get to it, this body won't move itself." Konrad said, relieved that he had talked their way out of the mess.
Brunhilde helps get the corpse into the cart and even helps to push it. "Not my first time transporting a corpse, you'll be happy to hear. Remember that outbreak of Yellow Spots a few years back? Hit our town pretty hard."
”Best time to be a corpse wrangler, right? Abundance of bodies, nobody wants to touch them.” Konrad said, his esteem for Brunhilde having risen considerably.
Using your newfound status as members of the guard, you have no trouble borrowing a cart to carry the dead
It only takes a few minutes to reach the church, and the small graveyard at its side. The crowd part to let you pass, some shivering in fear, some chatting excitingly, many making the holy sign of the Comet.
Father Schmidt, the local priest, welcomes you at the entrance of the temple, nodding to Brunhilde
Brunhilde's face goes white when she sees the priest and she quickly turns away from him and toward the rest of her companions.
"Ohh, I'm sorry!" she squeaks nervously and looks down at the ground. "I forgot to tell you earlier that the priest wanted to see us. Sorry, with all the chaos of today, it completely slipped my mind!"
Its been a busy day, the young reformed bandit says shrugging.
Udo greets the priest reverently in his monotone voice;
"Pater Schmidt. We have the corpse of a wayward soul to plant."
We would be lucky if this corpse is the only one we bury in the next few days. Come into the church, quickly. Bring the corpse in, if you can, and may Sigmar bless you. In fact, when we are in the church, I'll bless you in his name.
He turns to Brunhilde
Thank you, I'm sure you have done everything you could in the circumstances. We both have been unexpectedly busy these lasts hours. No apologies are needed.
He seems to look around
Enter quickly, I'll close the doors. We have to talk, but you can't stay too long in here, if only for the good of Hallt.
Konrad nodded at the question. The secrecy boded ill for them and the town as well.
I'll bet at least a shilling you've got suspicions about your town leadership... saw them having a quiet huddle earlier. Heard nothing but didn't look right .
I honestly don't know much about the Reeve. She was already in place when I started working in this Temple, it was not even a year ago. The last priest, shall I say priestess, an holy woman named Ute Boot died, by a murderer's hand. It was a sorry affair I might say, and she will be missed by Hallt for at least as long as they guided the townsfolk on the path to Sigmar. Of course, she's buried near the Temple./b]
He pauses a few seconds, probably weighting his words, and speaks again
[b]As for our Reeve, she is quite efficient, and isn't afraid to put in the work for the town. We don't see eye to eye, but I am only competent in the matters of the Church, and let her rule the town. Of course she likes money and power, she's proud, if not vain, but she isn't the first or even the worst ruler to enjoy every advantage of her position. Hallt will never be a bursting, energetic town, but the merchants are quite happy with her work, and she brings much needed money in the farmer's pockets. As for her crew... Well, she isn't perfect, and she is not afraid to use force when sweet words aren't enough. But she can't be too bad either, as she is loved by an honest, hard working man, Gunther, our local silversmith. He might still worship the Old Faith, as many of the farmers around, but he must have seen something in Frau Fellgiebel's heart which is unknown to us. Unfortunatly, he is away for a week or more, on a business trip I've heard. Maybe the Reeve follow the same path, honoring gods of the past instead of worshiping Sigmar? She only pays lip service to Sigmar. I'm no specialist of the ancient faiths, anyway.
He ponders Gottfried's words
All I know is that the stonemason is tied, one way or another, to the Reeve, and he doesn't like me, or the Church, very much. I'm not sure he has a word to say in the town's politics. He hasn't the brain for it, he's more the muscled arm of the Reeve, with our executionner, Anselm Buchberger. He was the one who beheaded Ute's murderer, a year or so ago.
Now, what happened with this one?
He points to the corpse you carried
"Drunk wife beater tried to knife a guard." Konrad replied. 'Didn't end well for him." With a shrug he added "Don't really care about the leadership and any of their failings. No place is perfect, and I've yet to be in a town or city where everyone players nice." He added, not wanting to be out on the streets again. "Is there anything you need from us?"
I know the man's face. Never came in the Church, and his wife was deadly afraid of him, with reason it seems. But you can't help someone who refuse to be helped; or maybe we should have done more. He probably crossed a line he shouldn't have. We'll bury him as soon as the town gets quieter. There's a small crypt under the church were we can put him for the moment. And we'll find other ways to help his widow.
He thinks about Konrad's last question
I've heard, of course, that you were the ones to defeat the Dullahan. But I heard, too, rumors about the Dullahan being still alive. I must say I never seen it myself, but i've heard so much about him... How did you defeat him? Is it a ghost? A beast? A real human?
He looks at the statue of Sigmar for inspiration
I admit I even once thought that maybe, maybe, it was a ploy from the Reeve, you know, a henchman she could use to bring down her opponents, people who didn't want to obey her. Now I think I was wrong, but the true answer remain a mistery to me.
”Usually, you cut off a man’s head and he will be dead. We stabbed, cut and hacked away at a man without a head. While leaving someone with a pierced heart would usually kill someone, who can say with a beast like that?” Konrad replied. He felt a creeping sense of dread, wondering what it would take to put the monster down for good.
Soooo... what can we do for you Pater Schmidt? I confess to not being the best of Sigmar's children, but I'm happy to help the Church, and perhaps earn forgiveness for a shaky start in life.
He turns to Gottfried, with a small, tired smile
We all had our troubles, my son. And I would be wary of someone calling himself "the best of Sigmar's children", to speak the truth.
Having listened to Konrad, he thinks a little
I am no fighter, but I believe you. We"re not a rich community, and I'm no high ranking priest, able to help you throught prayers. In fact, old Ute would have probably better helped you than I can. I found this in her office, and you might have use of it, some healing draughts it seems
He gives you two vials .
I'm sure I've seen one or two old, unused holy symbols of Sigmar, if that can bring confort to your souls. And there is Ute's warhammer upstairs in her office, but it's a big, clumsy weapon. I don't know if you will be able to use it correctly. I surely wouldn't be. That's all I can do, but if you accept those gifts, please give your thanks to Ute's soul, her tomb is next to the church.
Udo nods reverently toward the priest;
"You mentioned the stonemason... I was bound by my former meister to Herr Auffarth... before Morr sent portents to seek service in his name..."
The young stonemason's voice drops a little, fearful the Sigmarite will dismiss his calling.
He pauses, unsure of his logic, broad brow furrowing as he continues;
"Pater, if you fear there is a plot with the Reeve and he is part of it... Perhaps I should pillor his service again? I may not be smart or red-handed, but I see and hear well enough."
When the priest mentions the hammer, he smiles fleetingly;
"Big and clumsy is how I am often spoken of. I know hammers. Know how to crack stone. If no-one else would claim the weapon it would be an honour to wield it, and break foes in her name."
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"Big and clumsy is how I am often spoken of. I know hammers. Know how to crack stone. If no-one else would claim the weapon it would be an honour to wield it, and break foes in her name."
I think it would look good on you.
I'm not sure.. It seems quite BIG, you know, this hammer, I couldn't even move it without using both hands. But you look stronger than I am, so you'll just have to try.
The town seems feverish. I think everything you can do to keep an eye on the Reeve won't be wasted. But don't spread your group too much. We don't know how many allies or lackeys she has in town, and you risk being picked one by one.
so use it against the foes of the Empire, and may Sigmar guide your arm. I'm sorry I can't do more to help. I can, and will, give you my blessings, of course, if you want them. Or if you want some time by yourself, you can either use the church, or the small cemetary. I'm sure Ute's soul would be glad to accept your gratitude for her gifts from beyond the grave
Thank you... a question? Could we sleep here if we needed? Apparently we can sleep whereever the watch sleeps but... I've a feeling that might come undone sooner or later.
If you mind the lack of confort of the church, I see no harm in this. Do you have a specific threat in mind?
Lets just say the night is long and full of terrors... if I don't have another place to sleep? Holy ground beats the footpath.
”Right. Right…so, what now? Go on patrol and see what come may?”
That's for you to judge. One thing seems strange. I've heard by the townfolk, numerous times, that the Dullahan was in town. But as far as I know, no one as located it. It's not that big a town, and a headless man should be easily spotted in a crowd. Where might he hide? Why hasn't anyone find it so far?
Bugger it... not getting any younger. Let's beat feet and talk to the locals eh?
I hope you will be able to find what's happening here. Sometimes an outsider's eyes see better. May the gods guide and help you. Make Sigmar proud of his sons...
He smiles softly, pauses, and nods to Brunhilde
and daughter.
Konrad muttered a thanks and took his leave. Standing outside he leaned against the wall of the temple and took a deep breath of the chill, mountain air. Once everyone was out, he turned to them.
"I don't like this. Any of this. So our new bosses might not be on the up and up? What else is new? I'm just worried that, as the outsiders, whatever might come will be falling on our laps. We can't make a run for it, and we can't afford means of travel to get out of here. So all I can think of is going on patrol, for now, seeing what happens, and being ready to stand together for when the other shoe drops."
I'm with you. We either hang together, or we will ending just hanging.
Getting out of the church, you start patrolling the few streets of the small town. The crowd seems scarcer than earlier, the folk probably seeking shelter in their homes.
Here and there, a few men- women and children seemingly absent from the streets-stay together, mumbling and carrying farm tools that can make probably serious damage between trained hands.
No animal bigger than a wandering dog can be seen on the streets either.
Maybe its later than you thought. Maybe not. But the sky seems darker now, as if the night was creeping already.
"It's...weird. Where did all the cats go?" Konrad mused. He then shook his head, hoping to clear such nonsense out of it. Here they were, walking around at night, with a potentially dangerous creature about, and he was thinking about cats!
Well that's not strange... at all... nope... not even a little bit, says the reformed bandit, trying to reassure himself.
Hey, there, sorry Mum, ummm... you see any cats today?, he calls out to a woman hurrying along the street, presumably heading home.
Udo shrugs in resignation as the wielding of the warhammer would require more skill than sheer grunt.
"Perhaps it is for the best. The hammer is the weapon of Signar's faithful, not one who follows the path of Morr."
The former stone-worker eyes the streets with a creased brow;
"Huh. I had not noticed..."
Instinctively he looks upward, toward the rooftops and highpoints;
There are a few birds, maybe a lonesome raven, who pays no attention whatsoever to Udo
The townfolk look at you with respect mixed with fear, and some of them, unsure about how to react, come to ask you what to do, hoping for some good news or at least, sound advice in these strange circumstances
Konrad was not quite sure what to say to them. But he was glad that they were at least talking, and not glared or blaming. "Trust in the Heldenhammer." Konrad said. "Stay home and protect your families. Have a weapon or tool at the ready if a militia is needed. But for the most part? Just don't panic. Come what may, we will all get through this together."
Udo nods in agreement at Konrad's words before adding his own, his voice low and monotone;
"And if you do not survive - May raven's alight upon thee. Know too that Morr's garden awaits and may his judgement at the gates be right and in keeping with how you lived your life."
The would be Morrite looks solemnly at the crowd.
The men seems to agree, or at least haven't found any better idea. The crowd part their ways, each man walking back to his home, hoping to protect it.
Some of them looks at Udo with reverent fear, or maybe as another crazy man they have to cope with.
The streets are emptier than before.
Which makes the man, walking all by himself by the end of the street, even more obvious.